BUNNELL, FL – Sheriff Rick Staly and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard attended the Opening Day of the 2023 Florida Legislature today in Tallahassee. Both were invited by Speaker of the House Paul Renner, who resides in Palm Coast and has been a major supporter of law enforcement and our community.

As part of the official opening of the 2023 Legislature, the FCSO Honor Guard presented our state and nation’s colors to members of the House of Representatives prior to the joint session with members of the House, Senate, and Governor Ron Desantis.

Sheriff Rick Staly was honored as Law Enforcement Officer of the Day, commending his life-long commitment to service to the citizens of the State of Florida, specifically in Orange and Flagler Counties, which includes receiving the Governor’s Medal of Heroism after being shot three times early in his career while saving the life of a Deputy Sheriff and reducing crime in Flagler County by 54% since he was elected Sheriff in 2016.

“Thank you to Speaker Renner and our state legislators for graciously honoring myself and our team today,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Although we are a smaller county, our FCSO team has gone above and beyond to protect and serve our community and reduce crime by 54%! It was a great honor for our Honor Guard to help open the 2023 Legislative Session.”